Curtin Malaysia and MVA sign MoU for collaboration in sports development

Miri – 4 April 2023 – Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) and the Miri Volleyball Association (MVA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in sports development.

Signing on behalf of Curtin Malaysia was pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive Professor Simon Leunig, while MAVA chairman Voon Kai Foo signed for MVA.

Also present were MVA president Alan Ling, coordinator Yet Min Yen, and vice-treasurer Chai Lik Yang; and Curtin Malaysia’s deputy pro vice-chancellor Professor Vincent Lee, acting chief operating officer Associate Professor Ir. Pieter Willem Pottas, and sports supervisor Ezra Bada.

Professor Leunig said it was an honour for Curtin Malaysia to partner with MVA for the development and advancement of sports and recreation activities in northern Sarawak, and subsequently, enhance its strengths in research, academia and sports.

“The Miri Volleyball Association is well known for its efforts in promoting the sport of volleyball in Miri for over 50 years, through hosting competitions, referee courses, training camps and other activities to expand the pool of players in Miri. The association has also been very supportive of our Curtin Volleyball Club through the years, helping it organise competitions and training camps.

“So, it was without hesitation that we accepted the invitation to partner with MVA as it is obvious that it would be of great benefit to both our organisations. We are confident that our mutual commitment to advancing sports will translate into a very strong and impactful partnership,” said Prof. Leunig.

He added Curtin Malaysia has a longstanding commitment to advancing sports excellence in Malaysia, and particularly in Sarawak, through partnerships and collaborations in research, education and sports development with bodies such as the National Sports Institute of Malaysia, Sarawak Sports Corporation, Sarawak Rugby Union and others.

Most recently, Curtin Malaysia signed MoUs with the Miri Amateur Swimming Association and organisers of The Spartan Race 2023 for collaboration in sports development and staging of The Spartan Race in Miri next month.

“We continue to support Sarawak’s sports agenda, both as a Sarawak Government-owned entity with an inherent obligation to support the state’s advancement, and as a higher education institution with the relevant knowledge and expertise, particularly in sports science and sports engineering, to do so,” said Prof. Leunig.

Meanwhile, Ling remarked that collaboration with an esteemed university like Curtin Malaysia brings recognition and honour to the MVA.

“Thus, our association vows to work closely with the university for the interest of both parties and beyond,” said Ling, who is a management board member of the National Sports Council and has helmed the MVA since 2019.

“The MVA was established more than five decades ago and has been instrumental in developing volleyball in Miri,” he said.

Ling thanked Curtin Malaysia for the recognition and looked forward to their first collaboration, a volleyball competition scheduled for next month.

Under the MoU, the two organisations will jointly promote sports and recreational activities in Northern Sarawak, and organise professional courses and short courses for volleyball in Miri, in addition to sports conferences and competitions.

They will also share and exchange their respective knowledge and expertise for the advancement of sports in Sarawak; collaborate in the development of sports education; as well as deliberate and make recommendations on policies, methods and measures to be formulated or adopted for the development and advancement of particular sports.

In addition, they will share their respective facilities for the purposes of training, education, competitions and tournaments.

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MVA chairman Voon Kai Foo giving a speech while Prof Leunig looks on

Voon and Prof Leunig signing the MoU

Prof Leunig and Voon exchanging MoU documents

Curtin Malaysia and MVA representatives pose for group photo following the MoU signing